acceptor

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [akˈkɛp.tɔr]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [atˈt͡ʃɛp.tor]^[1]

Forms

acceptor m (genitive acceptōris, feminine acceptrīx); third declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from Latin accipiō (“to receive, accept”) + -tor.^[2][1] ⟨accipiō⟩ is from ad- and capiō (“to take”), which de Vaan traces to Proto-Italic *kap-i-.^[1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus' Trinummus, of one who accepts as true.^[2][4] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant a person who accepts as true, a believer, as in Plautus; one who receives, a receiver, as in the Theodosian Code; and a collector of dues, as in an inscription.^[2][6][4]

British Medieval Latin used it for an accepter, receiver, and in acceptor persōnārum a respecter, favourer of persons.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it.^[2][5]

Meanings

Noun

1. One who accepts as true, a believer.^[2]
2. A receiver; a collector (of dues).^[2][6]

Related words

• accipiō
• acceptus
• acceptrīx

Usage notes

A separate acceptor is a form of accipiter “hawk”, in Lucilius' exta acceptōris, reshaped after accipere; in Medieval Latin it was a falcon.^[2][6][1][8]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
5. ^ a b Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
8. ^ Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill